Lefferts Empanada Shop Raises Money For Puerto Rico

PROSPECT-LEFFERTS GARDENS, BROOKLYN — An empanada shop new to Prospect-Lefferts Gardens raised nearly $2,500 for Puerto Rico recovery during the month of October, the store's owner told Patch.

Empanada City opened about six months ago on Lincoln Road near Nostrand Avenue. Owner Briant Almonte and his wife, Jessica, have extended family that live on the island, which was ravaged by Hurricane Maria in September.

"It hit home, the whole situation," Briant Almonte said. "We were just trying to find a way to help out in some way."

The restaurant took direct donations and gave the proceeds from sales of its guava and cheese empanada toward the cause. He said they raised about $2,400 and will round it up to $2,500 for the actual donation, which will go to Feeding America.

"It wasn’t a surprise that when we announced that we were doing this that the community would come out and support it," Almonte said. "It's been really a community effort from everyone in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. For us, it’s just another example of why we chose the right place to put our flag down and open up this business."

He said their family survived the storm but are struggling with power and water issues.

"They’re doing well," Almonte said. "They had damage to their homes but we didn’t have any kind of loss as far as human life. But obviously they’re experiencing the same issues that most people are with electricity problems, lack of resources, that sort of thing."

Empanada City opened in March after multiple incidents of property damage during construction.

The shop sells 16 flavors of its namesake dish, up from 12 when it first opened, Almonte said. Top-selling flavors include shrimp, ropa vieja (flank steak, with peppers, onions and a red sauce) and pastelón (sweet plantains, ground beef and cheese).

They also sell fruit smoothies, and flan for dessert.

"It's a very simple, streamlined menu," Almonte said. "We’re very specific to what we serve, which is empanadas. For us it’s about doing that really well as opposed to having a wide array of items available. Our focus is really on each product and making sure that every one of them is great in flavor and everything."

He said the neighborhood support since the opening, including raising money for Puerto Rico, has been inspiring.

"We're extremely grateful for the community for coming out and supporting us and the cause. Obviously every little bit counts," he said. "It's not about one person doing the lot, it's about a lot of people doing a little. And that’s how we can progress and get things done."

Photo courtesy Briant Almonte